Status when not using status?

Hi,
I have this interesting FFP rule issue that you "rule lawyers" might want to have some fun with.

I'm AA Platinum (OW Saphire) but am a lowly worthless Blue BAEC member. I was considering buying a WT+ tix for JFK-LHR-JFK in the next month or two. Now as we all know, BA flights between LHR and USA don't count in the AA's FFP, so there's no point in having my AA FFP number in the record. Hence I was just going to credit the miles to my BAEC account. Obviously during the trip, I'd like to take advantage of my OW Sapphire status from AA and visit the lounges, etc. The question is:

Can an OW Sapphire member flying on another OW airline and crediting the miles to the airline's FFP where he does not have OW elite status with, be extended the OW Sapphire benefits, even through he's not crediting anything to his home airline's FFP?

I don't want to find out at the BA lounge that my OW Sapphire card won't let me in just because I happen to credit my flight to another FFP where I have no OW elite status with.

You should have no problem using the BA business class lounges. You are a OW Sapphire member, departing on a OW operated and marketed flight. That's all you need.

(AA adds the additional twist that you must be on an international itinerary. But you won't have to worry about that because (a) you WILL be on an international itinerary and (b) you'll be using BA's lounges anyway, not AA's. They're in different terminals at both airports.)

No problems, although the lounge guards might need a little describing what you are doing as they are sadly not the brightest of the bunch... Even when on a BA EC status they will deny entry every now and then...

Lounge access is not a problem.

What I had also wondered was whether one could get priority boarding, better seat allocation, etc... in accordance with OW status not on BP?

I was recently denied entry to the First lounge at T4 - I was not flying BA or OW but I am BA Gold. I was told that I also couldn't use the Terrace lounge 2 floors above but had to go to the other Terrace lounge near gate 1. I wasn't that bothered about not being in the First lounge but didn't want to walk all the way over to the other Terrace lounge, so I went straight to the one upstairs. The lounge guard from First had called up to the Terrace lounge to WARN them that I might seek to enter and not to allow me in. Fortunately, the assistant upstairs told me not to worry and let me in.

I went straight over to the internet to print off the rules which clearly states I can enter First lounges even when NOT flying BA or OW. However when I went back down to First to help train BA lounge guards on the rules - she had already left.

This was the week after the recent strike action - would have thought BA would be trying to be extra helpful to FF, but obviously not.

Lounge entry won't be a problem.

I often do the same thing in reverse. Flying on AA I credit the miles to my AA Platinum card but get access to the AA Flgship Lounge using my BA Gold card.

This must be a hidden post-1st July enhancement as Lounge Access Anytime (or Open Doors as it was called) definitley used to exclude FIRST lounges. Cool.

From BA web site:
Enjoy Lounge Access Anytime+
Gold members can use Executive Club departure lounges worldwide and FIRST lounges � regardless of which airline you�re flying with.

http://www.britishairways.com/travel...e/public/en_gb

Can anyone answer this excellent question for us?

These things are usually done behind doors, as they can't see your other higher status seat assignments etc... will not be positively affected. Only chance you have is trying to arrange it at checkin but by then good seats, upgrades etc.. will mostly be gone.

I was told to book under BA Gold status and enjoy the priority seating etc. Then at check-in tell that I would like to credit the mileage on that account that earns miles (AA on transatlanctic AA or in my case it was Finnair on LHR-HEL cheapo fare)

I'd recommend keeping the status FFP number in the reservation up to the point you leave the lounge. Get the team to change it over then, and if you feel paranoid about losing a good seat, get them to put a note in your PNR stating you have BA Gold, OW Emerald...whatever. That SHOULD prevent any problems. Make sure you get a re-printed boarding pass.

I've done this when op-upgr*ded - and didn't then loose the upgr*de so I am confident it works!

[This message has been edited by Swanhunter (edited 09-10-2003).]

Nice collection of metallic coloured plastic you have there HardCoreConsultant!

How was that Shania Twain tune?

"That don't impress me much..."


<humming>...

Once, just once ever, I flashed the whole deck of plastic at someone (I was at my old business school talking to prospective students - basically warning them about consulting career). We're probably getting married next year.